PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior epidermal growth factor receptor-based therapy for recurrent disease Chemotherapy: No more than 1 prior adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy and/or chemoradiotherapy regimen At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics See Chemotherapy At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Other: No more than 1 prior regimen for recurrent disease No other concurrent investigational agents No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV